Containers have revolutionized international shipping and commerce, becoming an indispensable component of modern logistics.
These standardized, durable, and large metal structures facilitate the storage and transportation of goods in vast quantities, whether by land, sea, or air.
This text will delve into the primary types of containers and their specific functions.
Dry Box
The most common type of intermodal container, primarily used for transporting dry cargo such as food, clothing, and utensils.
It can be customized with ventilated doors for heat-generating cargo. Standard sizes are typically 20 feet (6 meters) or 40 feet (12 meters) in length, with a height of 2.6 meters.
Container HC (High Cube)
Similar to a Dry Box but with a significant difference: it's 30 centimeters taller, allowing for slightly larger loads.
Ideal for transporting large quantities of goods and is useful for customized projects due to its unique height and width.
Tank Container
Designed for transporting chemicals, liquids, and gases.
For hazardous cargo, the tank is filled through openings at the top or rear.
Constructed from 304 and 316L alloys, these containers are lined with aluminum or fiberglass and have a reinforced structure to prevent accidents.
Flat Rack
Perfect for transporting oversized, long, or irregularly shaped cargo that wouldn't fit in standard containers. Without a roof or sides, it only has front walls.
Commonly used for transporting large machinery, agricultural equipment, and construction materials.
Open Top
Follows the same size standard as Dry containers but lacks a roof, covered only by a tarpaulin.
Suitable for transporting heavy materials or items that cannot be loaded through standard doors, such as machines, marble, and glass, which need to be loaded from above.
Open Side
Similar to Open Top, but with a side opening instead of a roof.
Used for cargo requiring greater width or for custom projects, such as transporting animals.
Its dimensions and structure are the same as a Dry container.
Platform
Has no sides or roof, consisting only of a reinforced floor.
Ideal for transporting oversized cargo that doesn't fit in standard containers due to width, height, or length, and is also suitable for extremely heavy loads.
Ventilated
Suitable for cargo requiring air circulation, such as coffee, cocoa, grains, seeds, spices, and garlic.
Its structure is similar to a Dry, but it has ventilation openings to ensure the cargo "breathes" during transport.
Reefer
Equipped with thermal insulation and an internal refrigeration system, operated by electrical connections or gasoline/diesel generators.
Essential for transporting food or other products requiring temperature-controlled storage, such as frozen goods.
Bulk
Similar to a Dry Box but is internally coated for transporting grains like coffee, corn, and seeds.
It has an opening in the front panel, facilitating cargo discharge and speeding up the unloading process.
Each container type has specific characteristics that make it suitable for different types of cargo, ensuring the safety and integrity of products during transport.
The choice of the ideal container depends on the cargo's characteristics, such as weight, volume, type, and necessary transport conditions.
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